TN depts told to survey Manali lake for encroachments

CHENNAI: The Southern Bench of National Green Tribunal (NGT) directed the Chennai district Collector and State departments to survey Sadayanguppam lake in Manali for unauthorised encroachments, including the inlets and outlets of the water channel, which existed earlier, but vanished due to encroachments.

The bench comprising K Ramakrishnan and expert member Satyagopal Korlapati through the Suo Motu case directed the Water Resource Department (WRD) to provide protective mechanisms like bio-fencing, planting trees and employ other scientific methods to strengthen the bunds and repair the wires and sluices provided to regulate the inflow and outflow of the lake.

Subsequently, the Commissioner of Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) is directed to implement Solid Waste Management Rules 2016 besides liquid and other waste management rules within their limit.

Additionally, the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) is directed to maintain registers of private tanker lorries engaging in collecting and decanting sewage and septage, while also providing them with GPS system to track the movement of the vehicle for illegal discharge, noted the Tribunal.